Senior Correspondent: Prominent Bangladeshi journalist and former information advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Ikbal Sobhan Chowdhury, has strongly criticized the disrespectful visa policy imposed by a foreign nation on the Bangladeshi media.
He deems it an intrusion into the sovereignty of an independent country. Chowdhury stated that the United States’ recent announcement of sanctions against Bangladesh is a cause for concern, and politicians should respond to this challenge.
However, when the US Ambassador suggests that the media might also be targeted under these sanctions, it becomes imperative for us to voice our concerns. The remarks by Peter Haas, the US Ambassador, indicate an unwarranted intervention into our affairs.
Chowdhury emphasized that Bangladesh should follow its constitution but be open to political compromises when necessary for the greater good. Even today, political leaders assert that free, fair, and impartial elections are crucial for the country.
However, foreign interference in the affairs of a sovereign nation is unacceptable. America should follow the principles of good diplomacy, which we are not willing to compromise on. We, as Bengalis, will not be intimidated by sanctions or threats.
The meeting was chaired by Obaidul Haque Khan, Senior Vice-President of the organization, and attended by former BFUJ President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, former Secretary-General Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, DUJ Vice President Manik Lal Ghosh, Joint Secretary Khairul Alam, former DUJ President Quddus Afrad, among others.
Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul stated that there is no fear or anxiety regarding the visa policy. The United States grants visas to only 27,000 people in a year, and this has little impact on the entire country.
Why should people be concerned? They receive one million visa applications every year and grant only 27,000 visas.
Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan remarked that mentioning American imperialism takes us back to 1971 when the killers of our independence were supported by the United States.
DUJ’s Joint Secretary Khairul Alam stated, “My country, my rules. Who are you to lecture us, Americans?”